China’s Wang Mingjuan claimed the first Weightlifting gold medal of the 2012 Olympic Games in the women’s 48kg weight category at ExCeL.

The four-time world champion went into her first Games as the overwhelming favourite having not been defeated in international competition since winning her first world title in 2002.

The 26-year-old triumphed with a combined total of 205kg, snatch 91kg and clean and jerk 114kg.

Japan’s Hiromi Miyake claimed silver with a total of 197kg (snatch 87kg and clean and jerk 110kg). Miyake, daughter of Mexico 1968 bronze medallist Yoshiyuki Miyake, finished sixth four years ago in Beijing and ninth in 2004.

The bronze medal went to Ryang Chun Hwa, 21, of DPR Korea, with a total lift of 192kg (snatch 80kg and clean and jerk 112kg).

But Wang’s gold continues China’s recent domination of the sport, with the nation claiming eight of the 15 golds on offer at Beijing 2008.

Sirivimon Pramongkhol, a 17-year-old from Thailand, finished fourth while Turkey’s Nurdan Karagoz had to settle for fifth.

Thailand’s Panida Khamsri, a strong contender to challenge Wang having claimed silver at last year’s World Championships, was a surprise casualty as she crashed out early on.

Having come close to suffering a dislocation of her right elbow in her first snatch, Khamsri failed to record a good lift in her subsequent two attempts.